Ford Plantation Golf Course Pictures

Golf Hole #4, Par 3 with Pete Dye signature pot bunker guarding the front pin position and a hard line produced by this beautiful bulkhead.

The Landing area at the par 5 #9 golf hole is guarded by this 200 year old live oak. This live oak, dripping with Spanish Moss, once caught fire years ago. Somehow, the tree continues to stand and thrive even though half of the trunk was burned. The base of this tree is great spot for photographs.   

#10 golf hole resting on Lake Clara

A closer look at the #10 green site. This site was created by Mr. Dye after staking out the tee complex for #11. Mr. Dye said, "This is where #10 green should go. Get rid of that old dogleg. This is a hell of green site".

The waste area to the right of the fairway wraps around the entire back side of #10 green complex.

At #10, this small green features a strong side on the right and is slightly tilted from back to front and right to left.

Here are some Pete Dye pot bunkers in the landing area transition zone with a massive waste area to the left that protects both #11 and #15 fairways.

The par 3 #12 golf hole.

A closer look at the 12th green shows a hard line on the right side accentuated by two green side pot bunkers on the right. Notice how the undulations of the left side of the green spill in from the complex surround itself, a Pete Dye trademark. The place to miss this green is to the left if your going to bailout... But, beware, your next chip shot will be running towards the water downhill.   

Another beautiful hard line created by Mr. Dye down the right side of #13 golf hole. Golf balls seem to gravitate towards the water here.

#13 green is hard to hit in regulation for a couple of reasons. Mr. Dye's hard line draws your tee shot toward the water. However, Mr. Dye's famous offset putting green philosophy rewards shots that take a different line into the green. Here a poorly struck tee shot will force a player to hit the approach shot over water. A well positioned tee ball will allow a player to run the ball up onto the greens putting surface.  

#14 tee complex surrounded by tall grass and #13 green in the background. 

The view standing on #13 green.

The back of number #13 green appears to have an edge that falls directly into the water... making players second guess that iron shot from the center of the fairway. 

The back of #17 green.

The view of Lake Clara from #14 tee.

The home hole at Ford is a 507 yard Par 4 from the back tees. To hit this green 2, take out a long iron or hybrid and aim to the left side of the complex. Golf balls that land near the greens left side will be propelled onto the putting surface and may have a chance to go in! Stay clear of the right side pot bunkers because they can cause a big number on the score card. 

December 18, 2014 Update

The front 9 resident eagle made a showing today. 

We photographed him surveying Lake Sterling.

These guys are taking in a sunny day.

The back nine eagles were out on the hunt as well in Lake Clara.

Harry and Vicente filling fairway divots and keeping the fairways smooth and fair.

Jose operating the bush-hog. It is that time of year where we remove the summers growth and make-way for the winter and spring annuals.

Angle and Mateo detailing the collars

Nelson, Levi, Armin, Randy, Mateo and Angle detailing collars.

Alex making rounds checking in on equipment.

A little touch up pine straw work being performed by Scott, Matt and Eliezar.

Marianne was instrumental in launching the media day event and coordinating the Dye's visits.
Thanks... we could not have done it without you. 

Painting Greens 2014

Dear Members,

Dormancy is nearly upon us at TFP, so this week the putting greens will be painted by hand.  

Justin Lumpkin cutting in the paint next to the Tif-grand collar.

#11 green getting the treatment

It will take us 2 days to paint the 22 greens at TFP

The Tif-Eagle bermudagrasss greens benefit from the paint application in 2 major ways.

First, the paint acts as an insulator to the grass and helps keep canopy and soil temperatures warmer throughout the winter months. In our research here at Ford, greens with paint on them are less likely to frost over and in addition, have soil temperatures that are generally 3 degrees warmer than non-painted greens. 

#18 getting the treatment

Second, the paint does add an aesthetic value to the course. In particular, as the bermudagrass surrounding the greens enters dormancy, the green paint adds a nice contrast to the brown look of the rest of the course. Agronomically, its a home run.

Thanks and see you out on the course.

Nelson

Justin Lumpkin and Dane Alexander are experts at the paint application process.

Justin Lumpkin, Second Assistant Superintendent

Justin comes to us from the University of Georgia in Athens. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Agronomy and he joined TFP Team during the construction project. During the “grow-in” process, Justin was responsible for the coordination of hand water management, fertilizer applications, wash out repairs and managing crews. We could not have done it without him!

When Justin is not at work he enjoys spending time with his family (from North Georgia) and he is also an avid gun collector and shooting enthusiast.

If you see Justin on the course… make sure and stop to introduce yourself.

Time To Play Golf

#1 from the tee

#1 tee complex

#2 tee complex

The back of #1 green

The second shot at #2

#2 green complex

The landing are at #3

The back of #2 green

#3 green complex

#4 green complex

#4 Tee 

The new tee markers showcase the Ford Plantation's heritage- The rice sheath.

#4 green complex

#5 golf hole

#5 from the tee

The Dye tee's as they are known are the blue tee markers. Most members will play from here. 

#5 green complex

#6 tee complex

#6 landing area

#6 green complex has no bunkers

#7 from the back tee

#7

#7 green complex

#7 green complex

#10 golf hole

#10 green

The landing area at 11 fairway is guarded by a cluster of Pete Dye Pot bunkers

#11 green complex

#11

The 3 Par # 12 golf hole

#12 green complex

#11 green from the rear

#12 green

#13 green complex floats over Lake Clara

#13 green

The tee complex at 14

The staff at 13 green with #14 back tee in the rear

13 green and 14 tee

John Warren, long time irrigation technician, will be retiring after 19 years of service on October 10th 

#17 green

#16 green complex

Notice how the 16 green complex rolls around... Classic Pete Dye

The #17 green complex is amazing

A close look at at the classic Pete Dye Pot bunkers

#17 green again

The sun coming up before opening

The Practice Facility was set

The staff working to mow #4 green before golf

The sun coming up at TFP

The staff readies the putting greens

The staff at 9 green

The sun coming up over the back nine

The first shot of the new course at #18

It is a great day for TFP